Kipi Suites
Kipi
440 18 Zagori
find it on the map
 

A reader suggested I go and see this guesthouse in Kipi, one of the Zagorohoria villages. “The staff (mainly a very nice lady called Maria) running it is really nice and eager to help; the rooms are very elegant and cosy, and the breakfast is excellent; everything is practically hand-made on the premises” she wrote. I could not have agreed more. Kipi Suites is indeed a very beautiful place that, while styled with an offbeat combination of local traditional as well as outspoken modern elements, has warm and cosy feel. Hostess Maria is not only “very nice”; she is something of a superwoman. She has help with cleaning and maintenance, but she basically does everything else by herself. And how! She is amazing. She deals with reservations, shops, cooks, bakes, serves, and it all happens seemingly effortless. The guesthouse consists of several traditional stone buildings, some dating from the mid 19th century, others built more recently. There are eight suites, all very spacious, very comfortable and very stylish. I stayed in one that had a sitting room and a separate bedroom, both with a fireplace, and ample supplies of wood to burn. A fantastic bed, a luxurious bathroom, and lots of little extras that were not exactly necessary, but fun to have anyway (like a Nespresso machine and an iPod docking station), made me feel pampered and spoilt.


What makes it special to me:

That being totally spoilt feeling. The combination of great comfort and great care in a beautiful environment. The amazing breakfast. Maria…


But what you should keep in mind:

It was pouring with rain throughout my stay, so I never tried the walk to the village square and I can’t tell you how easy and long the walk is. I saw there is a path going down. 

OwnerAlexandros Kalantzis
Address Kipi
440 18 Zagori
Opening period:

Kipi Suites is open all year, but in the low season, it normally closes on Monday and Tuesday night. Exceptions are made for longer stays.

Children:Welcome
Dogs:Not allowed
Credit cards: DINERS, MASTERCARD, VISA
Accommodation2 double suites with a sitting area (35 sq m)
1 double suite with a sitting room (42 sq m)
2 suites for up to 3 or 4 persons with a sitting room (about 43 sq m)
2 suites with a sitting area (44 sq m)
1 maisonette with a sitting room, balcony (52 sq m )
 

The two suites for up to 3 or 4 persons are suitable for a maximum of either 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Prices:

 



Accommodation type
Summer
(1 June - 10 Oct)
Winter
(11 Oct - 31 May)
Low season
High season
Low season

High season

Double suite (35 sq m) 110 120 120 140
Double suite (42 sq m) 120 135 135 155
Suite for up to 3/4 pers (43 sq m) 120 135 135 155
Large double suite (44 sq m) 130 145 150 170
Maisonette suite for 2 pers (52 sq m) 135 150 160 180

  • Summer high season: 10 - 21 August and bank holidays.
  • Winter high season: 15 Dec - 15 Jan, Easter week and bank holidays.
  • Prices in Euro per unit (two persons) per night (taxes included).
  • Extra person: 20 Euro per night
  • No charge for extra bed for child up to 2 years old.
  • Breakfast is included in the prices.
  • During the high season, a minimum stay of three nights applies, 
  • The above prices are may be subject to change. Prices will be confirmed when you make a reservation enquiry.

 

Reservation policy:

A deposit of 10% of the total price of the stay is required at the time of booking. The hotel may ask for an additional credit card guarantee or deposit by bank transfer.  The outstanding balance is to be paid directly to the hotel upon checkout.  

Cancellation policy:

The 10% deposit paid online at the time of booking is non-refundable. The hotel will charge a further fee of the price of one night if the booking is cancelled less than two weeks prior to your arrival date. 

Jacoline's Small Hotels in Greece reserves the right to debit your credit card on behalf of the hotel in accordance with the above cancellation policy.

 

Room facilities

En-suite bathroom (some with Jacuzzi bath)

Television
Internet access
Mini-bar
Facilities to make coffee and tea
Fireplace
Safe

Hairdryer

Other facilities

Sitting room with a fireplace
Dining room
Terraces

Maria serves breakfast, or I might as well say brunch, between 9h00 and 13h00 (earlier on request). It’s an amazing spread of homemade treats. Every morning there are two types of hearty pies, as well as two kinds of sweets, and they are never the same two days in a row – everything is freshly prepared. In addition, the bread (delicious) is Maria’s own, as are the yoghurt (ever so creamy) and the marmalades (fantastic – ask to try the tomato jam). The orange juice is freshly squeezed and eggs are perfectly boiled. There is no restaurant on the premises, but Maria does usually serve snacks or light meals. You will find a few restaurants in the village.

Kipi Suites is at end the village of Kipi, one of the (perhaps) lesser-known Zagorohoria. It sits a little higher up on the mountain, and you basically have the forests at your doorstep. It is very quiet and the views are staggering.

 

From Ioannina, take the road in the direction of Konitsa (in Ioannina, follow signs for the airport). Turn right about 13 km after the airport in the direction of Tsepelovo. After roughly 10 km, turn right in the direction of Kipi (and Dilofo, Koukouli, Kapesovo…), and keep following the signs for Kipi. Pass through the village of Kipi, and after about 200 metres there is a sharp turn left onto a dirt road for Kipi Suites. Follow the signs.

This mountainous area north of the town of Ioannina is one of the highlights on the Greek mainland. It offers an unbeatable combination of sophisticated tradition and natural beauty. When I visited for the first time, I expected to find Alpine scenery with steep fir-covered mountain slopes and white peaks. For a moment I was almost disappointed when it turned out to be different, but then I opened my eyes properly and I came under the spell of the towering rock formations, fast streaming rivers, deep gorges, mountain lakes and rock pools, dense forests and peaceful meadows. I found scenery offering an unequalled variety and discovered something new with every corner I turned.

 

This wild beauty of nature and mountains, however, is not the main reason why visitors come to Zagori. The area is most known, famous and loved for its traditional villages, the (almost 50!) so-called Zagorohoria. They are about a thousand years old, and feature beautiful stone houses – many of which have been immaculately restored – cobbled alleyways, small churches and shady little squares. Some are very small and have only a handful of year-round residents, and others are more developed and attract quite a few visitors, occasionally even by the busload. Don’t let that put you off; there are enough villages to choose from, and I recommend you take your time to visit more than just a few. Which ones? I wouldn’t worry too much; they are all beautiful… Go wherever the mood takes you!

 

Megalo Papingo is perhaps the most captivating of the Zagorohoria. Situated at the end of a 12 km long mountain road, with a series of impossibly sharp turns (at least for buses!), it enjoys a dramatic with great views of the rocks of Mount Gamilla. Instead of having been spoilt by tourism, this village has been revived by it. While a few decades ago there were no more than a couple of kafenions, you now find several nice little cafés and places to eat, and the atmosphere, while still quiet and laid-back, has become just pleasantly lively.

 

Situated on a plateau at an altitude of nearly 1000 m, Ano Pedina has more of a rural ambience. This village is not the most typical of the Zagorohoria, but it is unquestionably pretty with its distinctive 18th and 19th century houses made of natural stone and slate roofs. Just outside the village you can visit the monastery of Evagelistria (built in 1786) and the monastery of Agia Paraskevi (dating from 1750).

 

The village of Dilofo is only about ten kilometres from Ano Pedina, but it is a again a different proposition. It lies hidden amongst the trees on the mountainside, and houses are tightly clustered together. As much as a cliché this may sound, in Dilofo you really get the sense that time has long stood still. If you arrive by car you will have to leave it on a small parking at the entrance of the village, and continue on foot over uneven stone paths, past the large school building (dating from 1860) to the village with just a little kafenion. Most of the year you have the whole village practically to yourself – except if it is a long weekend, when understandably there are a few more people around.

 

Other villages I recommend you go and see include, Kipi, Kapesovo, Elati and Koukouli, but this list is by no means exclusive! Monodendri is very beautiful as well, but on weekends it can get busy.

 

The Zahorohoria are actually connected by a network of beautiful cobbled paths and centuries-old arched stone bridges, so if you have the time (and energy), do some of the exploring on foot. Take a good pair of walking shoes with you anyway, because even the laziest person will be tempted to go for a walk or two. The area is great for walking, anything from a short stroll so see some of the arched bridges (there are many near Kipi), to serious hikes. The Vikos Gorge is a must – if you want to do the entire traverse (between Vikos and Monodendri) you should count a full day and arrange for pick-up transport. If you are not an experienced hiker, consider going with a local guide. Another serious, and beautiful, hike is to the Dragon Lakes (Drakolimni) on Mount Gamila – the fastest way (four hours or so) to get there is from Mikro Papingo.

 

If you are in for some adventure sports, the area offers plenty of opportunities as well; several companies organise outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, caving, rock climbing. If you’re more interested in history and culture, you can explore monasteries, pop into frescoed chapels and visit small museums. If you’re into food and cooking, you could go fishing, collect mushrooms (if you know what you’re doing, please!), and take a course in traditional cooking at Guesthouse Porfyron in Ano Pedina. And finally, if a swim in the rock pools near Papingo is not enough for you and you’re longing for some time on the beach as well, consider a combined holiday – spend a week in the mountains of Zagori, and another week on Corfu or Lefkada.

Read here what others said about Kipi Suites
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